voltages, which, if it wasn’t not converted, would blow the
processor pretty much instantly.
A basic example of how a VRM works is as follows. It starts by
pulling power from the 12V rail from the power supply into the
power delivery or VRM. The VRM then converts this 12V power
into a lower voltage so the processor can use it, and it also
regulates it so that it stays well within the operating voltage that
the CPU requires to work. Even with overclocking the processor,
CPU core voltage is typically kept under 1.4V, which in itself is
around an 88% reduction in the voltage drawn from the power
supply compared to what the CPU is actually using.
Another variable to consider when looking at a motherboard’s
VRM is its capabilities in relation to maximum supported current.
This is especially important when overclocking the processor,
as some power deliveries aren’t designed for thunderous power
loads, although motherboards in recent times are more than well-
enough equipped. The configuration of the power delivery is also
important, as one of the biggest grumbles is assuming a higher
number of power stages or phases mean it has a better VRM.
This is a gray area with some vendors in regards to marketing
and advertisement, as a six-phase CPU VRM with six 90A power
stages can deliver a maximum current of up to 540 amps, where
an eight-phase CPU VRM with eight 60A power stages equates to
a maximum current of 480 amps.
Some motherboard manufacturers use different types of
configuration, with some offering direct phase designs that work
in a one-to-one method, with one channel operating one phaseTHE REAR PANEL I/O INPUT, OUTPUT, THROUGHPUT
1 USB 3.2/3.1 Type-C
2 USB 3.2/3.1 Type-A
3 USB 2.0 Type-A
4 USB 3.1/3.0 Type-A
5 RJ45/Ethernet
6 Wi-Fi 5/6
7 BIOS flashback button
8 3.5mm audio jack
9 S/PDIF optical output
The rear panel is essentially the input
and output section of the motherboard,
with plenty of different connector types
featured depending on the motherboard
itself. The most commonly found
connectors include USB, RJ45/Ethernet,
and 3.5mm audio jacks. Looking at USB,
there are many different types, with
motherboard vendors opting to color-
code them for easy identification, but this
isn’t a general rule of thumb. Black ports
typically signify basic USB 2.0 ports, with
deep blue often associated with USB 3.0ports. Other colors generally indicate
USB 3.2 or USB 3.1 connector types, but as
mentioned, this varies on both vendor and
model. There are also two types of USB
interface found on modern motherboards,
including Type-A and Type-C.
The difference between the different
standards of USB, including 3.2, 3.1, and
2.0 is in the bandwidth support. USB 3.2
Gen2 typically supports up to 20Gbps
or 10Gbps on the Type-C interface,
while Type-A will usually support up to
10Gbps. To make it easier to understand,here’s the details:- USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 Type-C = 20Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C = 10Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A = 10Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A = 5Gbps
- USB 2.0 = 480Mbps
On premium models, motherboard
manufacturers add Intel Thunderbolt 3
controllers, which use USB 3.2 Gen2
Type-C connectivity, combined with
DisplayPort video inputs to leverage
the technology to the full and reap the
benefits of enhanced bandwidth.
from the PWM (pulse-width modulation) controller, which drives
and controls the power delivery. Some opt for the use of doublers,
which work with two phases operating from one channel. ASUS
has switched to “teaming” its phases in pairs, which is designed
to deliver higher levels of burst current while maintaining
efficiency, in regards to computational and thermal performance.
The benefit of more phases is generally associated with
better reliability and can have a positive effect on operating
temperatures, as usually the VRM is cooled by a simple heat sink.
Some enthusiast-grade models incorporate active designs with
small cooling fans, with the most premium including VRM water
blocks, such as the ASUS ROG Formula series.NETWORKING & AUDIO
For networking, some boards use a single RJ45 connector,
while others use two for superior connectivity. The general shift
in recent months has gone from 1 Gigabit to 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
ports, which motherboard vendors are looking to use, as the new
go-to technology as the industry quickly moves far and beyond
standard Gigabit. This also includes Wi-Fi, with a big transition
occurring this year from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) to the better Wi-Fi
6 (802.11ax) standard. This is good for gamers who demand a
solid connection during online gameplay but don’t necessarily
have the scope or capability to use wired Ethernet, which is
almost always the best connection standard for performance
and network stability.(^21)
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motherboards unwrapped
38 MAXIMUM PC SEP 2020 maximumpc.com